introduction
traveling from one place to another passing through contours flowing across the landscape broken by vertical treelines series of works based on the theme of Journey begun with Heading West : 8 hr journey to Galwayin 2004
Immrama
the journey as concept in gaelic tradition
Journeys
2009 : back to college
2008 : Gozo : sun and stone | Dublin : bus, road tree wall | Tuscany : Mt. walls & sun
2007 : London : bus boat train | Sicily : bathed in blue
2006 : Queensland : noosa sunrise
2006 : Bibbulmun : trail
2006 : Nullarbor : treeline
2006 : Tuscany : tavernelle
2005 : Dingle : penninsula
2004 : Heading West : treeline with wall
Aboriginal Art
Aboriginal art often depicts epic journeys that the ancestors made across the continent: an apt metaphor and motif for our own journey.
Having studied Aboriginal Art for a college thesis I was delighted that our 2006 visit to Perth, Western Australia, coincided with a major exhibition of contemporary work by artists from the Gibson Desert and important pieces from the W.A. National Collection. The colors and rich patterns used were stunning, the themes (seven sister constellation) and motifs, (cliff or escarpment) universal.
two journeys 2007
Immediately after spending time working on the cool earth tones of an Etruscan Spring in the weeks prior to arriving in Perth, the pure strength of the local colour was visually overwhelming. Awareness of light and colour was reinforced by weeks sketching and traveling 7000 kms. From desert to sub tropical rainforest a new understanding of space, light and colour influence new work.
Bibbulmun Track : July 06
Kallamunda, outside Perth, Western Australia : 15km trek on 1000km aboriginal trail : July 06
The journey started in Kallamunda, where we walked a section of the Bibbulmun Track from its Northern Terminus in Kalamunda to the Mundaring Weir Dam with Australia artist Lori Spencer-Neuzerling and Ron Spencer. From here in the heart of the Darling Range, east of Perth, the "Golden Pipeline" runs water 963km to the goldmine at Kalgoorlie in the Western Desert.
Expedition Across the Nullarbor Plain, WA : 5000km
From the Goldmines in Kalgoorlie Boulder the expedition went south to Norseman before heading east on the Eyre Highway across the legendary Nullarbor Plain, stopping in Belladonia, whale watching at Eucla at the Australian Bight, through South Australia and New South Wales, via Broken Hill and Dubbo. Stopping at the three sisters in the Blue Mts before finally travelling down into Sydney.
Noosa : Queensland : August 06 : 2000km
A further expedition north to Noosa, Queensland included a return trip via the Great Dividing Range Ebor Falls the sub tropical volcanic crater that is “The Great Escarpment”and the skywalk at Dorrigo.
Italy - Etruscan Expedition
Tavernelle : North Tuscany via La Spezia : Pisa : March 2006, journey by plane train and bus up into Appenines
Tavernelle, North Tuscany in Italy is a tiny village set among hills covered with chestnut forests and the last stop before crossing the Apennines. The pattern and colour created by the dark bare branches with rich chestnut tips were in stark contrast to the pale ochre earth, cool umbers rock and ghostly fallen leaves. Travelling on foot or by public transport, with little Italian in a community that did not speak English, left a distinct sense of isolation. The sketches have an emptiness that is reflected in the later paintings.
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